Viva the Vagus: The Nerve Stimulation and Depression Quiz

In treating depression, potential patients must meet fairly strict criteria to be considered for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), initially used as a potential remedy for epilepsy and sleep apnea. How much do you know about depression and the vagus nerve? It's time to put your knowledge to the test.

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Question 1 of 20

Which Latin word is the vagus nerve named after?

sensitive

complicated

wandering

The vagus nerve, among the longest, most complex and most important nerves in the human body, takes its name from the Latin for "wandering."

benign

Question 2 of 20

What other name is the vagus nerve commonly called?

The 10th Cranial Nerve

One of 12 pairs of cranial nerves, the vagus nerve is also known as the 10th Cranial Nerve.

The Whole Body Nerve

The Branch Nerve

The Elliptical Nerve

Question 3 of 20

Which organs are connected by the vagus nerve?

brain and stomach

brain and heart

brain and lungs

all of the above

The vagus nerves runs from the brain and branches out through the neck and down each side of the body, across the abdomen and to the main organs such as the heart, lungs and stomach.

Question 4 of 20

Which of the following is NOT a function of the vagus nerve?

satiation

eyesight

The vagus nerve is responsible for motor functions in the voice box, diaphragm, stomach and heart and sensory functions in the ears and tongue -- but not the eyes.

hearing

swallowing

Question 5 of 20

Which of the following functions is the vagus nerve responsible for?

breathing

digestion

normal heart beat

all of the above

The complex circuitry that makes up the entire vagus nerve has a role in myriad bodily functions, including breathing, maintaining digestion and monitoring the heart beat to keep it in a regular rhythm.

Question 6 of 20

Typically, which of the following results from the vagus nerve being compressed?

unconsciousness

nausea

clammy, cool skin

all of the above

If the vagus nerve is stimulated, or if it is compressed, the result is usually clammy, cool skin, unconsciousness and/or nausea.

Question 7 of 20

In VNS, what is used to stimulate the nerve?

chemicals

heat

electrical impulse

VNS is a procedure that sends electrical impulses into your brain in an effort to improve depression symptoms.

more cowbell

Question 8 of 20

Where is the VNS pulse generator normally placed?

under the skin, by the chest

The pulse generator is implanted by the chest and connected to the nerve via wires.

In addition to all these criteria, VNS candidates must also show no improvement in their condition through the use of antidepressants or electroconvulsive therapy.

Question 12 of 20

Prior to being considered for VNS, a patient must undergo which of the following treatments?

antidepressants

psychological counseling or psychotherapy

electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

all of the above

VNS candidates must be at least 18 years old, have been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, have suffered from chronic depression for more than two years, and have not seen any improvement in their condition through all of the above: psychotherapy, the use of antidepressants or ECT, also known as electroconvulsive therapy.

Question 13 of 20

VNS is believed to do which of the following?

suppress abnormal neural activity

enhance neurotransmitter production

both of the above

Anecdotal evidence suggests that VNS impulses can both affect the chemical balance of the mood centers of the brain and enhance the production of neurotransmitters, which have been shown to ease some depression symptoms.

none of the above

Question 14 of 20

Which of the following is NOT a common side effect of VNS?

hoarseness

coughing

frequent urination

There are predictable side effects with VNS, the most common of which include hoarseness, coughing, a tingling or prickling sensation in the neck and problems swallowing. If you're urinating frequently, that's a separate matter.

problems swallowing

Question 15 of 20

Who can adjust the pattern of the impulses emitted by the stimulator?

the surgeon

the patient

a caregiver

all of the above

The duration of these impulses are set by the surgeon, and can be adjusted via a programming wand. Further, patients (and/or their caregivers) can temporarily adjust the impulses by using a handheld magnet.

Question 16 of 20

Which of the following medical procedures can have an adverse effect on the stimulator?

The use of VNS to treat depression developed as a result of similar treatment for which ailment?

osteoarthritis

osteoporosis

angina

epilepsy

Shortly after the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of VNS for the treatment of epilepsy in 1997, researchers began to notice that the treatment showed signs of promise in helping some epileptic patients who also suffered from depression.

Question 18 of 20

What is the price tag of a typical surgery to implant a VNS device?

$5,000

$10,000

$30,000

The initial cost of implanting a VNS device can run more than $30,000, and that doesn't include subsequent visits for monitoring and adjustments.

$50,000

Question 19 of 20

Which of the following is the best way to describe the vagus nerve?

twin nerves

a single nerve

twin nerves with multiple branches

The vagus nerve is actually twin sets of nerves that pass through the neck before branching off into the chest and midsection and the lower part of the brain.

none of the above

Question 20 of 20

Which of the following depression symptoms should not be treated with VNS?

acute suicidal thoughts or behavior

schizophrenia

delusional disorders

"rapid cycling" bipolar disorder

all of the above

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), VNS should not be considered for any patient experiencing acute suicidal thoughts or behavior, schizophrenia, delusional disorders, or history of "rapid cycling" bipolar disorder.